Why Do Nigerians Borrow and Never Return?

In Nigeria, borrowing and never returning has become a lifestyle. It starts with small things like a pen, a book, a power bank, and before you know it, the item is gone forever. Sometimes, even asking for it back feels like a crime.

Take Mama Biliki, for instance. One afternoon, she rushed to her neighbor’s door. “Sister, please help me with small salt. I forgot to restock,” she pleaded. A few moments later, she was back—this time for Maggi. Then palm oil. At this point, the neighbor could only shake her head. Was Mama Biliki truly forgetful, or had she mastered the art of petty borrowing?

This habit isn’t limited to kitchen ingredients. Some people borrow clothes and return them faded or torn. Others take money with a promise to pay back "next week," but that next week never comes. Even public officials seem to have taken borrowing to another level, but let’s not go there today.

Why do people do this? For some, it's forgetfulness. For others, it’s a sense of entitlement, after all, what are friends and family for? Some people even borrow as a habit, knowing fully well they won’t return the item. And if you dare ask for it back, they either dodge your calls or act like you’re being unreasonable.

At the heart of this issue is a simple truth: discipline. Managing your resources wisely, restocking essentials on time, and living within your means can save you from the cycle of constant borrowing. Because let’s be honest, no one wants to be known as the person who always needs salt, Maggi, and palm oil.